Andhra Pradesh Information Technology and Human Resources Development Minister, Nara Lokesh, dismissed concerns regarding the imposition of Hindi, asserting that India's linguistic diversity would prevent any such move.
The 42-year-old union minister cited the importance of promoting regional languages while advocating for 'multilingual education'.
"I don't believe impositions will happen in India. I believe every state is unique. When I met the Education Minister, he was more focused on promoting Telugu as the medium of instruction in the state," Lokesh stated.
He credited Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief Chandrababu Naidu for championing regional languages and ensuring their development.
Lokesh further called for an approach that embraces global languages to enhance job opportunities for Indian youth.
Highlighting the demand for skilled workers abroad, he said, "Many job opportunities are opening up in Germany and Japan, especially for nurses and homecare professionals. We have agreements to teach German and Japanese to nurses, ensuring mobility and employment opportunities abroad."
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Emphasising linguistic inclusivity, Lokesh questioned why Telugu could not be taught in northern states.
"Give kids the opportunity to learn what they want. I am reasonably fluent in Hindi, Hyderabad se hoon na, Hindi acchi hai (I am from Hyderabad, my Hindi is good)," he remarked, advocating for a flexible approach towards language education.
His remarks come amid growing debates over the three-language policy and concerns over Hindi imposition. Lokesh maintained that language learning should be a matter of personal choice rather than compulsion.
The discussion on linguistic policies also saw participation from Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, who strongly opposed the imposition of Hindi.
Criticising the BJP-led Central government’s push for the language, Reddy remarked, "Hindi is not the national language. Modiji is making so much effort for Hindi, but Telugu is the second-most spoken language. What have you done for it?"
Taking a sharp dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Reddy elaborated on his personal stance on learning Hindi, stating, "Hindi mein bol raha hoon na? Modi ji ko thokne ke liye Hindi seekha na (I learned Hindi to take on Modiji)."
He argued that language should serve as a tool for opportunity rather than coercion, recalling how students in educational institutions are given the choice to study languages such as German, French, or Sanskrit.
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